Protector mechanism for looms



April'm, 1942. AA. s.. GQTMAN '2,279,675-

vPROTECTOR MEGHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed March 30, 1940 y4 Sheets-Shee'cI 2 'M ATTORNEY Apri1'14,'1f942. A, '5; GUTMANk 2,279,675

' PROTECTOR MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed. March 30, `1940 4 Sheets-Shes?I S 1 506 we 3/0294 BY g ATTORNEY April 14, 1942.

Y A. s. GUTMAN PROTECTOR MECHANISM FOR LOOMS 4 sheets-shet 4 .Filed March 30, 1940 INVENTOR l ,4L Fen? .5f 607mm/ .las ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNiTED 12 Claims.

My invention relates to looms, and more particularly to a protector mechanism for looms and to a method of controlling the operation of looms.

During the operation of a loom various changes of the yarn arrangement may occur which require a control of the operation of the loom. For example, a breakage of a weft yarn or a Warp yarn requiring the stoppage of a loom may occur, or a cop may become exhausted, so that, according to the type of the loom used, either the loom must be stopped or an automatic weft supply motion or an automatic shuttle change motion must be rendered active.

The hitherto known protector mechanisms responding to a change of the yarn arrangement have the disadvantage of 4causing a damage to the yarn by the mechanical action of the feeler of the protector mechanism or by electric sparks causing a discoloration of yarns of delicate colors. Moreover, it is practically impossible to apply the hitherto known weft protector mechanism to looms with boX motion on both sides of the loom or to looms for duck weaving by means of tubular cops. Furthermore, the conventional warp stop motions with drop wires can be used only for the control of the Warp yarns in the rear portion of the shed but cannot be used for the control of the warp yarns in the front portion of the shed. Moreover, if a Warp yarn breaks and the warp stop motion does not act immediately, the broken warp yarn becomes entangled with other warp yarns of the shed and causes the formation of a socalled iioat by disturbing the regular shedding motion of said warp yarns. Very often, such a float prevents the drop-wires of the conventional warp stop motion from falling down, so that the warp stop motion is rendered inoperative, when the most severe faults in Weaving occur. In a special warp stop motion known in the art the socalled drop wires cause a stoppage of the loom, either if they fall down due to a breakage of the Warp yarn, or if they are raised due to a stretching of the Warp yarn occurring after the formation of a oat. This special warp stop motion may be used only for the control of the yarns in the rear portion of the shed as is true of the conventional warp stop motions. There are no stop motions known in the art, which may be used for the control of the yarns in the front corner of the shed where the socalled float occurs, and which are directly rendered active by the float per se and may cause an immediate stoppage of the loom before a Cil stretching oi the warp yarns occurs after the formation of the lioat.

An object of my invention is to provide a protector mechanism for looms, by means of which the above enumerated disadvantages of the hitherto known protector mechanisms are eliminated.

In order to carry out my invention into practice, I provide in combination with a loom: a protector mechanism comprising electric circuits including a photoelectric element, a source of light adapted to project a beam upon said photoelectric element, and electric means for controlling the operation of the loom upon control of the electric circuit by said photoelectric element; said source of light and said photoelectric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through a place of the loom indicating any change of the yarn arrangement requiring thecontrol of the operation of the loom.

The above object as well as others not particularly pointed out will appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only those parts necessary to a complete understanding of the invention are shown and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side end elevational View of a loom equipped with my new weft stop motion, som parts being broken away, y Y' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front end elevational View of the loom shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view, in top plan, of the locking means for the stopping handle of the loom shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a modied timing means for rendering operative the electro-optical system of my weft stop motion at recurring intervals of the operation of the loom.

5 is an end elevation of a loom equipped with my new weft protector mechanism inr combination with an automatic shuttle change motion,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan View of the loom shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevation of a loom equipped with an automatic weit supply motion to be controlled by my weit protector mechanism, `v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged' cross-sectional View of the upper portion of the slay and the shuttle box containing a shuttle with a spindle and a bobbin mounted thereon, as shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 shows a bobbin with yarn wound thereon partly in section,

Fig. is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the slay, shuttle box and shuttle similar to that shown in Fig. 8, in which, however, the shuttle has no spindle and the light beam is directed in a dierent manner,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a shuttle with a tubular cop arranged therein,

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a movable shuttle box with two compartments, taken on line |`2-|2 of Fig. 13,

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the movable shuttle box, taken on line |3|3 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a side end view of a loom equipped with my new warp stop motion,

Fig. 15 is a detail cross-sectional View of the mirror arrangement, taken on line |5|5 of Fig. 14,

Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate various positions of the members of the coupling between the electro magnet of the electro-optical system and the stopping mechanism,

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective View of the shed and the mirror arrangement in the loom shown in Fig. 14, and

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic end elevation of the shed with oats. v

Referring now to Figs. 1-3, 38 generally indicates the frame of a loom. A main shaft 32 journalled in said frame carries a tight pulley 34 and a loose pulley 36. A belt 38 engaged with the tight pulley 34 and driven by a suitable driving mechanism (not shown) serves to rotate the main shaft 32 through the medium of the tight pulley.

generally indicates the slay structure pivotally connected to the frame 3|) at 42. On each side of the slay structure the forked end of a crank arm 44 is pivoted to the slay sword 46 at.

48. The other end of each crank arm 44 is movably connected with a crank of the main shaft 32, so that a rotation of the main shaft causes reciprocatory movements of the slay structure 40 about the pivot 42. The slay beam 52, the shuttle box 54, the reed 56 and the slay cap 58 are arranged in the slay structure in conventional manner.

A gear B0 keyed to the main shaft 32 meshes with a gear 62 keyed to a picking shaft 64 journalled in the frame 38 of the loom. Said picking shaft 64 operates a conventional picking motion (not shown), by means of which the shuttle 68 is driven along the slay beam 52 from the shuttle box at one end of the slay structure into the shuttle box at the other end of the slay structure.

The belt 38 may be shifted from Athe tight pulley 34 to the loose pulley 36 and vice versa by means of a belt shifter 68 connected to one end of a lever 10 pivotally mounted at I2 on a bracket 'I4 attached to the frame 30. The other end of said lever 10 passes through a slot 'I6 of a stopping handle 'I8 of resilient material having its lower twisted end secured to the frame 30 by means of screws 80. The upper end of said stopping handle 18 extends through an aperture 82 of an extension 84 of a breast beam plate 86 mounted on the frame 30. The aperture 82 has a recess 88 with the edges 90 and 92 as best shown in Fig. 3. If it is desired to start the loom, the upper end of the stopping handle 18 is brought into said recess 88 as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, whereby the belt shifter 68 is moved to bring the belt 38 in engagement with the tight pulley 34. The resiliency inherent to the stopping handle 18 causes a bearing of the upper end of the stopping handle against the edges 90 and 92 of 1the recess. 88, so that the stopping handle is locked in its position during normal operation of the loom.

A brake drum 94 is keyed to the main shaft 32. A brake shoe 96 connected with a brake lever 98 is swingably mounted at |08. Said brake lever 98 is subjected to the load of an adjustable weight |82 and a tension spring |04 stretched between the free end of the brake lever and a stationary point |86. A rod |88 connected to the brake lever 98 has a hook H0 at its upper free end for engagement with a'lug H2 arranged on the stopping handle 18. When, during normal operation of the loom, the hook I I0 and the lug i2 are engaged with each other as shown in Fig. 1, the brake shoe 96 is disengaged from the brake drum 94 and the brake mechanism is rendered inactive.

A catching member or stop rod nib ||4 is swingably mounted on the stopping handle 'I8 at H6. One end of said stop rod nib is movably connected with the upper end of a drop rod H8 slidably mounted in bearings |20 secured to the frame 30. The lower end of said drop rod H8 carries a lug |22 for engagement with a controlling means |24. As best shown in Fig. 2, said controlling means |24 has the shape of a double armed lever swingably mounted on a pivot |26 Secured to the lower bearing |20. One end of said double armed lever |24 may be engaged with the lug |22, as shown in Fig. 1, in order to hold the drop rod H8 in an elevated position, whereby the stop rod nib |4 is brought into the position shown in full lines and the stopping mechanism is rendered inactive, as the free end of the stop rod nib is out of the path of the oscillating slay structure 49. A pressure spring |27 disposed between the other end of the double armed lever |24 and a plate |28 secured to the frame 30 tends to hold the lever |24 in engagement with the lug |22, so that the drop rod H8 and the stop rod nib H4 are locked in their positions during the normal operation of the loom.

When the lever |24 is disengaged from the lug |22 in a manner to be described hereinafter, the drop rod H8 falls down until a stop |29 secured to the drop rod |8 abuts against the upper bearing |20, whereby the stop rod nib H4 is swung into the position shown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 1. Now, the stop rod nib H4 is in the path of the slay beam 52, and the latter hits wthe stop rod nib H4 during its next forward movement as shown in dash and dotted lines, so that the stopping handle 'I8 connected with the stop rod nib H4 is moved in the direction of the arrow A as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This movement of the stopping handle I8 causes a disengagement of the latter from the edges and 92 of the recess 88, and, owing to the resiliency inherent to the stopping handle 18, the

latter is moved in the oblong portion of the ap` During this erture 82 against the edge |30. movement of the stopping handle 'I8 into the position shown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 3,

nism is rendered active and the loom is stopped.

In order to render the stopping mechanism active in the above described manner when the bobbin |32 of the shuttle 66 becomes exhausted and the shuttle is in the shuttle box 54, I provide the following electro-optical system.

A bracket |34 is secured to the lowerv end of the slay sword 46 near the pivotal connection 42 between the slay structure and the frame 319. The ends of said bracket |34 project on each side of the slay sword. An electric light source |35 is mounted on one end of said bracket |35, a photoelectric element or electric eye |83 is mounted on the other end of said bracket. Thus, the light source and the electric eye are arranged in such a way, that their` motion and vibration is reduced to a minimum. Preferably, means (not shown) are provided to adjust the positions of the light and the electric eye. Said light and said electric veye are arranged in suitable electric circuits |49` supplied with current by an electric source (not shown). Furthermore, an electromagnet |42 is arranged in the electric circuit controlled by the electric eye |38. If the electromagnet is excited upon closing ofthe electric circuit by the electric eye |38, the lever |24 forming the armature of the' electromagnet is attracted and becomes disengaged from the lug |22 of the drop rod H8,

so that the loom is stopped in the manner described above.

Brackets |24 and |45 carrying optical means or mirrors Hi8 and |59 are mounted on the slay structure 49. Preferably means (not shown) are provided to adjust the positions of said mirrors. The bracket |26 is provided with a slot |52. As best shown in Fig. 8, the shuttle box 52, the shuttle G6 and a shuttle binder |54 pivotally connected to the shuttle box 54 in conventional manner are provided with openings |59, |53, |69, |52 registering with each other when the shuttle is in its end position in said shuttle box. A light beam |64 emanating from the light source |35 is reflected by the first mirror |48 and is directed through the registering openings |56, |58, |69, |52 toward the second mirror |59, when the space normally occupied by the cop or yarn |66V wound on the bobbin |32 is empty. The beam reected by the second mirror |59 is directed through the slot bobbin |32 adjacent the surface thereof. Ac-

cording to Fig. 9 illustrating an enlarged longitudinal view of the bobbin |32 with the yarn |69 wound on it the light beam |64 is directed through the space normally occupied by the yarn reserve |19 when the shuttle is in the shuttleY box. As long as the yarn reserve |'||l is on the bobbin, the light beam is interrupted by the yarn reserve and cannot reach the electric eye. When after the unwounding of all of the yarn |89 and a portion of the yarn reserve |10 the bobbin becomes exhausted, the light beam may reach the electric eye |38, so that the electromagnet |42 is excited and causes the actuation of the stopping mechanism.

Fig. l0 illustrates a dierent embodiment of a shuttle |`|2 with a bobbin |'|4 wherein the shuttle has no spindle. In such a case the portion of the bobbin |74 receiving the yarn reserve may be provided with openings |15 and |18 capable of registering withopenings |80, |82,

vided with an oblong opening |91 on each side of the shuttle near the end of the cop which cannot 4be used for weaving and mustbe thrown away as waste. The openings |9'| register with openings of the shuttle box and shuttle binder when the shuttle is in its end position. As soon as the main portion of the cop |94 and the first portion of the end of the cop is used up, the light beam may pass through the openings |97, so that the circuit of the electromagnet is closedby the electric eye .and the loom is stopped.

In order to'prevent an actuation or the stopping mechanism by the above described electrooptical system when the shuttle with its bobbin or cop is not in the shuttle box associated with the electro-optical system and the path of the light beam would n-ot be interrupted by the yarn, I provide timing ymeans for rendering operative the electro-optical system only at recurring intervals of the operation of the loom, i. e. at the intervals when the shuttle is in the shuttle box. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 said timing means comprise a switch |93 arranged in the electric circuit of the system and actuated by a cam 20|) keyed to the picking shaft 64. A rod 292 carrying the bridge 284 of the switch |98 is slidably mounted in bores of the arms of a bracket 29B attached to the frame of the loom. A piece 298 of insulating material is arranged between the bridge 294 and the rod 292. A pressure spring 2|0 interposed between the lower arm of the bracket 296 and a collar 2|2 secured to the rod '292 tends to hold the switch |98 in open position and to urge the upper end of the rod 292 against the cam 280.

The cam 290 is arranged in such a manner,`

that its raised portion moves the rod 292 downward against the action of the spring 2||l during the interval when the shuttle is in the shuttle box. The downward movement of the rod 292 causes a closing of the circuit by the switch |98,l so that the electro-optical system is rendered operative at each time when they shuttle is in the box. As long as the switch is in the open position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the circuits are interrupted and the electro-optical system is rendered inoperative, so that the weft stop motion cannot .cause a stoppage of a loom when the shuttle is not in the shuttle box.

Instead of arranging a timing switch in the electric circuit of the electric light and/or electric eye, various different timing means could be used. For example, as shown in Fig. 4V, an interrupting means or a lever 2|4 provided. with an extension 2|9 could be pivotally mounted on the frame 39 at 2|8. A tension spring 229 stretched between the lever 2M and a stationary point 222 tends to urge the lever 2|4 against a cam 224 keyed to a shaft 222 rotating at the same speed as the picking shaft. The cam 224 has, a round portion 228 and a flattened portion 239. Aslong as the round portion is in engagement with the lever 2|4, the extension 2MB of said lever is held 'in the path of the light lbeam |64 as shown in Fig. 4, so that the latter is interrupted and the.

electro-optical system is renderedi'inoperative.V

4 During this interval when the shuttle is in the shuttle box, the flattened portion 239 of the cam 224 comes in engagement with the lever 2| 4, so that the extension 2|6 comes out of the path of the beam |64 and the electro-optical system is rendered operative. j

The operation of above described weft stop motion is as follows: During the normal operation of the loom, the lever |24 is in engagement with the lug |22 to hold the stop rod nib ||4 out of the path of the oscillating slay structure 40 as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The electro-optical system |36, |38, |49, |42, |48, |58 is rendered operative by the timing switch |98 at recurring intervals of the operation of the loom when the shuttle is in the shuttle box. As long as sufficient yarn is on the cop or bobbin in the shuttle, the path of the light beam |64 is interrupted by the yarn when the shuttle is in the shuttle box and the electromagnet |42 is not excited. When, however, the cop or bobbin becomes exhausted and a portion of the yarn reserve is used up, the light beam |64 projected from the light source |36 reaches the electric eye |38 when the shuttle is in the shuttlebox, whereupon the electric circuit of the electromagnet |42 is closed by said electric eye and the lever |24 is disengaged from the lug |22 by the action of the electromagnet, so that the stop rod nib ||4 is brought into the path. of the oscillating slay structure 46 and the stopping mechanism is rendered active. The portion of the yarn reserve still left on the bobbin is sufficient to permit the performance of a few more picks after the abutment of the slay beam 52 against the stop rod nib l I4. After the stoppage of the loom, the operator may replace the shuttle with the exhausted bobbin by a shuttle With a full bobbin.

Figs. and 6 illustrate the application of my weft protector mechanism to a loom equipped with an automatic shuttle change motion.

According to Figs. 5 and 6, the main shaft 32 carries a tight pulley 34, a first loose pulley 36 and a second loose pulley 2312. A pinion 234 secured to the second loose pulley 232 and loosely arranged on the main shaft 32 meshes with a gear 286 keyed toa shaft 238 journalled in a bearing 239 secured to the frame of the loom. Said gear 236 carries the cams 246 and 242 for the actuation of the automatic shuttle change motion proper (not shown in the drawings).

The slay structure 49 pivoted to the frame 3U at 42 is driven by the main shaft 32 through the medium of the crank mechanism 44, 50.

The position of the stop rod nib ||4 pivoted to the stopping handle 78 at ||6 is controlled by the drop rod I8 locked in its position by the lever |24 forming the armature of the electromagnet |42.

The upper portion of the stopping handle 'I8 extends through an aperture 244 of a plate 246 mounted on the frame of the loom. During normal operation of the loom, the stopping handle is engaged with a recess 248 of said aperture. One end of a link 259 is pivoted to an arm 252 mounted on the stopping handle 18, the other end of said link 259 is pivotally connected with a lever 254 pivoted to a bracket 256 at 251. 'I'he free end of the lever 254 carries the belt shifter 68.

The arrangement of the electro-optical system |34, |36, |38, |40, |42, |43, |59 and of the registering openings |56, |58, |66, |62 is the Same as in the embodiment of the loom shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. The timing switch |98 arranged in the circuits of the electro-optical system is actu-A ated by the cam 260 keyed to the picking shaft 64 driven by the gears 69 and 62 meshing with each other.

The operation of the weft protector mechanism is as follows: As soon as the bobbin |32 becomes exhausted and the path of the light beam |64 is unobstructed when the shuttle 66 isv in the shuttle box 54, the electric eye |38 closes the circuit of the electromagnet |42, so that the latter is excited and causes a disengagement of the lever |24 from the lug |22 of the drop rod ||8. Upon falling down of the drop rod |8 thus released, the stop rod nib ||4 is brought into the path of the slay beam 52 as shown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 5, whereby the automatic shuttle change motion is rendered active. Now, when the slay beam 52 hits the stop rod nib I4 during the next forward movement, the stopping handle 78 is moved in the direction of the arrow B (Fig. 6), so that it is disengaged from the recess 248. Owing to the resiliency inherent to the stopping handle 18, the latter is subsequently moved against the side edge 258 of the aperture 244, whereby the lever 254 is swung about the pivot 257 and the belt shifter 68 moves the belt 38 to come in engagement with the second pulley 232 actuating the automatic shuttle change motion through the medium of the pinion 234 and gear l236. After the performance of one rotation, the

gear 286 automatically returns the stopping handle into the recess 248 by a cam and suitable linkage connection (not shown). Thus, the shuttle with the exhausted bobbin is automatically replaced by a shuttle with a full bobbin and the operation of the loom is continued.

Itmay be mentioned that Figs. 5 and 6 also illustrate means for stopping the loom when the shuttle does not reach the box. For this purpose a bell-crank lever 268 is pivotally mounted on the slay structure at 262. The upper arm of said bell-crank lever 269 is in engagement with the shuttle binder |54. When a shuttle is in the shuttle box, the bell-crank lever 268 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, so that the lower projecting arm of the bell-crank lever cannot hit an arm 264 pivotally mounted on the frame at 266, when the slay is moved into its forward end position. If, however, the shuttle does not reach the shuttle box, the shuttle binder is in a position extending further inward into the shuttle box and, as the upper arm of the bellcrank lever follows the shuttle binder, the lower arm of said bell-crank lever comes into the position shown in dash and dotted lines. Now, the lower arm of the bell-crank lever hits the arm 264, during the next forward movement of the slay, whereby a hook-shaped member 268 connected to an extension of the arm 264 is swung about the pivot 266 and covers the portion 269 of the aperture 244. At the same time, a lug 216 arranged on the arm 264 abuts against a lug 212 of the stopping handle 'I8l so that the latter is moved in the direction of the arrow B. Now, the movement of the stopping handle 78 in the oblong portion of the aperture 244 is limited by the edge 214 of the hook 268 covering the portion 269 of the aperture. Therefore, the belt shifter 68 is moved only to such an extent, that the belt 38 comes in engagement with the first loose pulley 36 permitting the stoppage of the loom. As, under these circumstances, the belt 38 is not brought in engagement with the second loose pulley 232, the automatic shuttle change motion is not actuated.

Fig. '1 illustrates the application of my weft protector mechanism to a loom equipped with y an automatic weft supply motion or automatic bobbin change motion. Only the electromagnet |42 of my electro-optical system is shown in Fig.

1. The arrangement of the parts of the electrooptical system is substantially the same as that of the parts of the electro-optical system shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the only exception of the arrangement of the electromagnet |42 at a different place of the frame 38. The lever |24 forming the armature of the electromagnet |42 is in engagement with a lug 216 arranged on a drop rod 218. The upper end of the drop rod 218 is pivotally connected to one end of a weft nib 288 pivoted to one arm of a bell-crank hammer-lever 282. During normal operation of the loom, the lever |24 holds the drop rod 218 and the weft nib 288 in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7. If, however, the bobbin in the shuttle becomes exhausted, the electro-optical system causes an excitement of the electromagnet |42 as described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the lever |24 is disengaged from the lug 218 and the weft nib 233 is brought into the position shown in dash and dotted lines. Now, the weft nib 283 is in the path of a frog 233 arranged on the slay structure "i0, and the frog hits the weit nib dur-y ing the next backward movement of the slay structure, whereby the hammer 282 is rotated about its pivot 238 for driving a fresh bobbin 28B from the supply support 238 into the shuttle 63 and expelling the exhausted bcbbin |32 from the shuttle through an opening 232 at the same time.

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the application of my weft protector mechanism to a loom having a box motion. In the embodiment shown in said figures, the movable shuttle box 234 has two compartments 235 and 238. The compartment 29B serves to receive the shuttle 333 with the bobbin 382, and the compartment 233 serves to receive the shuttle 334 with the bobbin 338. A shuttle binder 338 pivoted to the shuttle box 234 at 313 and subjected to the action of a spring 3|2 cooperates with the shuttle 338, and a similar shuttle binder 3M cooperates with the shuttle 381i. A conventional mechanism (not shown) is provided for causing timed automatic shifting movements of the shuttle box 234 relative to the slay 48, so that either the compartment 233 or the compartment 233 is brought into a position permitting the respective shuttle 383 or 34 to move along the slay. According to Fig. l2, the shuttle box 294 is in such a position, that a picker (not shown) extending through a slot 3m of the slay 48 may cooperate with the shuttle 383 for actuating same. The compartment 233, the shuttle 363 and the shuttle binder 383 -have openings 3|8, 323, 322, 321i registering with the slot 3|8 of the slay when the shuttle box is in the position shown in Fig. l2 and the shuttle 333 is active. The compartment 233, the shuttle 384 and the shuttle binder 3| :l have openings 323, 328, 333, 332 which may register with the slot 3|3 of the slay, when. the shuttle box is in its elevated position so as to render the shuttle 34 active. The electro-optical' system is arranged in such a way, that the light beam |33 may pass through the slot 3HE, so that the weft protector mechanism is controlled by the yarn of the active shuttle. Ii desired, however, the electro-optical system could be arranged in such a way, that the light beam may pass through an aperture 334 of the slay 4o and the openings 32s,' 32a, se,r 332, so

that the weft protector mechanism is controlled movable shuttle box, in `which shuttles without 10 or shuttles withv spindles as shown in Fig. K tubular cops as shown in Fig. 11 are used.' Furthermore, my weft protector mechanism may be applied to looms witha boX motion at each side of the slay. Furthermore, itmayv be pointed out,

that the weft protector mechanism applied to a y y loom having one or more box motions may vbe utilized to control a stopping mechanism as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or to control an vautomatic shuttle change motion as shown in Figs. 5 and .6 or to control an automatic weft supply motion as shown in Fig. '7. r

Figs. 14-19 illustrate my'protector mechanism in the form of a warp stop motion. As an example, this warp stop motion is shown in combination with a loom of a diierent type. This loom has a shaft 333 journalled inbearings 338 and 338 mounted onthe frame 342. Said shaft 336 carries a loose vpulley 344 engaged with' av Furthermore, a clutch 348 is driving belt 383.

arranged on the shaft 333. One member offsaid clutch is loosely arranged on the shaft and is.

connected with'said loose vpulley 344. The other member of said clutch is keyed to the shaft1333. A lever 353pivoted to the'frame 342 at 352 is pivotally connected with a lmember 354 slidably arranged on the shaft 336 andr associated` with one member of the clutch. Therlever 358 serves to engage Vthe members of the clutch with each other orto disengage same from each ,other.

Furthermore, a brake drum 356embraced by 'a brake band 358 is keyed to the shaft 336. A bevel gear 338 secured to the shaft 336 meshes with'a compound gear 362 keye'dto th'epicking shaft 334. Said 'compound gear 332 in turny meshes with a spur gear' 36B keyed to a shaftr 388 operatively' connected with the slay structure (not shown) byfa' crank mechanism .(not

shown).. `Said shaft 338 also carries an eccentric drive 313 operatively connected with a rodconsists of `an element 382 provided with a hook'Y v3811 and pivotally connected ywith one kend ofMaV rod 386 slidably arranged in a bearing 388. The' other end of the rod 388 is pivoted to one endof a link 338.

of the m. The more2 carnes a @am ma adapted to cooperate with one arm ofy a double.

armed lever 13| 8' pivoted tothe `frame at 4|2.

Said element 316` forms one ymember of av The other end of saidlink 398 isl hinged to a rod 332 at 334; `Yv,Said rod 392v is l slidably arranged in a bearing 333. The upper' Said arm of the lever 4H] is connected with a starting handle 414 by a pin and slot connection 416. The starting handle 414 is pivotally mounted on the frame at 418. The other arm of the lever 410 is hinged to one end of a rod 420. lThe other end of said rod 420 is hinged tothe lever 358 actuating the clutch 348. A spring arrangement 422 tends to hold the lever 350 in either one of its end positions for engagement or disengagement of the members of the clutch 348. The lower end of the rod 392 is hinged to the front portion of a foot lever 424 pivoted to the frame at 426 and connected with the brake band 358 by a link 428. As long as, during normal operation of the loom, the members 316 and 382 of the coupling do not come in operative engagement with each other when the rod312 moves in the direction of the arrow C,

' comes into the position shown in dash and doty ted lines and the lever 358 is rocked about its pivot 352 by means of the rod 42D, so that-the members of the clutch 348 are disengaged. At the same time, the rod 392 swings the foot lever about the pivot 426, so that the brake band 358 is tightened and the-loom is stopped.

As pointed out above, the engagement of the coupling members 316 and 382 during a stroke ofthe rod 312 in the direction of the arrow C causes a stoppage ofthe loom, and this engagement is controlled by an electro-optical system in dependence of a change ofthe arrangement of the warp yarns 428 due to a breakage of one or several warp yarns or to the formation of a oat as' diagrammatically indicated by 438 in Fig. 19. The electro-optical system includes a light source 432, a photoelectric element or electric'eye 434 and an electromagnet 436 mounted on suitable places of the frame 342 and arranged in suitable electric circuits 438. Preferably, the light source 432 and the electric eye 434 are adjustably mounted on the frame. Furthermore, four mirrors 448, 442, 444, 446 are adjustably mounted by means of universal joints 441 on brackets 448 attached to the frame of the loom. The light source, the mirrors and the electric eye are arranged in such a way, that a light beam 456 emanating from the source 432 is directed by the mirror '448 through the open shed 452 near the front corner 454 thereof, whereupon itis reflected by the mirror 442 to the mirror 444; which reflects the beam through the open shed 452 near the rear corner 456 thereof to the mirror 446 directing the beam to the electric eye 434. If the shed is clear, the beam 450 is uninterrupted and the electric circuit of the electromagnet 436 controlled by the electric eye 434 is closed, so that the excited electromagnet holds the member 382 in the elevated position shown in Fig. 14 and prevents an engagement of the members 316 and 382 with each other. If, however, the beam 450 is interrupted by a broken Warp yarn or a oat 430 in the shed and does not reach the electric eye 434, the circuit of the electromagnet is open andthe latter is deenergized, so that the member 382 may drop into the position shown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 17, whereby the members 316 and 382 are engaged with each other during the next stroke of the rod 312 in the direction of the arrow C and the loom is stopped as described above.

In Fig. 18, 458 generally indicates the warp beam, 460 generally indicates the harness, and 462 generally indicates the cloth beam. The harness 460 serves to change the shed at timed intervals in a manner known per se. During the changing of the shed, the shed is closed for a certain time interval, so that the-light beam 450 projected from the source 432 is interrupted by the warp yarns at this particular time interval, although no disturbance of the warp yarn arrangement requiring a stoppage of the loom has' taken place. As will be described hereinafter, however, the timing means comprising the -eccentric drive 310 and the coupling 316, 318,

380, 382 arranged between the electromagnet 436 and the stopping mechanism 392, 428, 350, 348, 424, 356, 358 render the electro-optical system operative only at the intervals when the shed is open, so that the stopping mechanism cannot the closed or substantially closed shed. During the rotation of the shaft 338, the member 316 is moved in the direction of the arrow D. Shortly before the hook 318 becomes disengaged from the hook 384, the shed is opened, and the electromagnet is excited when the shed is clear, If the electromagnet is not strong enough to attract its armature 382, the latter may drop into the position shown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 17. At this time, however, the stopping mechanism is not actuated, as the member 316 is still 'moved in the direction of the arrow D. When the member 316 reaches the left-hand end position as shown in Fig. 17, it abuts against the member 382 and lifts same against the electromagnet 436 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 17. Now, when the shed is clear, the electromagnet is excited and holds the member 382 in the elevated position, so that the hooks 318 and 384 are not engaged with each other and the stopping mechanism is not actuated during vthe return movement of the member 316 in the direction of the arrow C. The shed is closed or is substantially closed, shortly after the hook 318 of the member 316 has come below the hook 384, so that during the second portion of the return movement of the member 316 the electromagnet is mechanically locked in its position and the electro-optical system is rendered inoperative. Of course, any other timing means could be used to render the electro-optical system operative only at the intervals when the shed is open.

The operation of my warp stop motion is as follows: The mirrors 44|), 442, 444, 446, the light source 432 and the electric eye 434 are adjusted in such a way, that the light beam 450 passes through the shed as near as possible to the The nearer the light beam tov gamers,

with the operation of the shed motion. During normal operation of the loom, the light beam electromagnet 436, so that the latter is excitedy and prevents an operative engagement of the members 316 and 332 of the coupling. As soon as a warp yarn or warp yarns break or a float is formed, the light beam is interrupted by the yarn or ioat when the shed is open, so that the electric circuit of the electromagnet is interrupted by the electric eye and the member 382 comes in engagement with the member 37b for an actuation of the stopping mechanism during the stroke of the member 31S in the direction of the arrow C.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, my warp stop motion could be applied to a loom of the type shown in Figs. 1-6, or my Weit protector mechanism could be applied to a loom of the type shown in Fig. 14. Moreover, my protector mechanism could be applied to looms of different types not shown in the drawings, for eX- ample it could be applied to circular looms. Furthermore, my protector mechanism could be combined with any other type of stopping mechanism or automatic change motion. It is understood, however, that the scope oi my invention is not limited to the described and illustrated combination of a protector mechanism with a loom, but that the protector mechanism per se also has inventive merits. While in the drawings the arrangement of a coupling between the electromagnet and the stopping mechanism is shown' only in the embodiment of a warp stop motion, such a coupling or a different type of a coupling could also be arranged in a weft protector mechanism. Furthermore, the electromagnet of my electro-optical system could be replaced by a solenoid and could be used in combination with diierent types of means for releasing the stopping mechanism or automatic change motion. Instead of the embodiment of timing means shown in the drawings for rendering operative the electro-optical system at recurring intervals of the operation of the loom, any other suitable timing means could be used. Under certain circumstances the light source and the electric eyemay be arranged in such a way that optical means for reflecting the light beam may be omitted. Instead of the mirrors shown in the drawings other optical means, such as prisms or the like, may be used for directing the light beam. If desired, the electro-optical system of the warp stop motion may be arranged in such a way that the light beam passes through the shed only near one corner thereof. Moreover, my new warp stop motion may be used in combination with a conventional warp stop motion having drop wires placed on the warp yarns. Furthermore, my electro-optical system may be used to control the operation of a loom in dependence of changes of the yarn arrangement other than the described weft breakage, warp breakage or formation of a oat.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and oat stop` motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means .or detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits includingv a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element,and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; said source of light'and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to directr the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beamV is interrupted by warp yarn in its path; and timing meansA acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photoelectric means. from becoming eiective when the shed'is substantially closed.

2. In combinationwith a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and oat stop motion: said stopt motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mecha'- nism; optical means in the path of the beam4 for directing same; said source of light, said optical means, and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to direci-l the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becomingv e'ective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by warp yarnin its path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photoelectric means from becomingv effective when the shed-is substantially closed.

3. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric elefment, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said'photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating'y said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed near a corner thereof; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by warp yarn in its path; Vand timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photo-electricy means from becoming effective when the shed is substantially closed.

fl. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; awstopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric.

means; said photo-electric means comprising electric beam upon said .photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said Vphotoelectric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed near both corners thereof; said photoelectric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by warp yarn in rits path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changcircuits including a photo-electric element, a source or light arranged to project a ing of the shed to prevent the photo-electric means from becoming eective when the shed is substantially closed.

5. In combination With a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means, said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; optical means in the path of the beam for directing same; said source of light, said optical means, and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a Way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed near both corners thereof; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by Warp yarn in its path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photo-electric means from becoming eective when the shed is substantially closed.

6. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed; means for adjusting the path of the beam; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by Warp yarn in its path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photoelectric means from becoming effective when the shed is substantially closed.

'7. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a Warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated with said photo-electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; optical means in the path of the beam for directing same; said source of light, said optical means, and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed near both corners thereof; means for adjusting the path of the beam; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by a Warp yarn in its path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed to prevent the photo-electric means from becoming eiective when the shed is substantially closed.

8. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a Warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated With said photoazvaer electric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electric means for actuating said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a Way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becoming effective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by Warp yarn in its path; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed for interrupting the electric circuits of the photo-electric means when the shed is substantially closed so as to prevent the photo-electric means from becoming effective when the shed is substantially closed.

9. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism associated With said photoelectric means; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electromagnetic means for actuating said stopping mechanism; said scurce of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a Way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becoming eiective to render active said stopping mechanism when the beam is interrupted by warp yarn in its path; locking means for locking said electromagnetic means; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of theA shed for rendering inactive said locking means when the shed is open so as to render the photoelectric means operative when the shed is open.

10. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a Warp and float stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism; controlling means associated wth the stopping mechanism for rendering same inactive during normal operation of the loom; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element, and electromagnetic means for actuating said controlling means to render active said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a Way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becoming effective to actuate said controlling means when the beam is interrupted by warp yarn in its path; a coupling arranged between said electromagnetic means and said controlling means; means normally holding the members of the coupling in inoperative disengaged position; and timing means acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed for permitting an operative engagement of the members of said coupling when the shed is open so as to render operative the photo-electric means when the shed is open.

1l. In combination with a loom having a shedding motion: a Warp and oat stop motion: said stop motion comprising photo-electric means for detecting the inside of the open shed; a stopping mechanism; controlling means associated With the stopping mechanism for rendering same inactive during normal operation of the loom; said photo-electric means comprising electric circuits including a photo-electric element, a source of light arranged to project a beam upon said photo-electric element and electromagnetic means for actuating said controlling means to render active said stopping mechanism; said source of light and said photo-electric element being arranged in such a way as to direct the path of the beam through the open shed; said photo-electric means becoming effective to actuate said controlling means When the beam is interrupted by warp yarn in its path; a coupling comprising a first and a second hook-like member; and an eccentric drive acting in timed relation with the changing of the shed; the first trolling means and forming the armatureof said electromagnetic means; the second coupling be- 12. A loom as claimed in claim l1 comprisingy an adiustable connection between the second member of the coupling and the eccentric drive.

ALFRED S. GUTMAN.

coupling member being connected to said con- Y 

